Dear Friend,
The first full week of Session has come to a close. Below is an update on the work of the legislature as well as an overview of some of the issues the General Assembly will be working.
2024 Legislative Session
Friday was the deadline for bills to be introduced; 1,545 bills were introduced in the House and 736 in the Senate, not including resolutions. These bills cover a wide array of issues. It is the work of the General Assembly to consider each proposed policy and determine how it will impact the lives of all Virginians.
The most important piece of legislation is the budget bill. Virginia passes a biennial budget in even-numbered years, and amendments to that biennial budget in odd-numbered years. This year, Governor Youngkin is doing several things for the first time. The most notable is that this is his first time crafting a biennial budget; in 2022, he worked on amendments to outgoing-Governor Ralph Northam’s budget plan. Another notable first-time task for the Governor is to pass a budget with a Democratic-controlled General Assembly, which represents a new negotiating landscape. Finally, another novel experience for this Governor, and for many legislators, is passing a budget amid a rather bare fiscal outlook. Previous years have seen record revenues and large surpluses. Pandemic aid is now drying up and a recession is forecasted for sometime in the second and third quarter of 2024. We must be prudent with our spending, prioritizing the pressing needs of Virginians. The State should also be reasonable with its tax policy; not burdening vulnerable Virginians, but instead ensuring vital projects are funded at their required levels through a progressive and equitable tax system.
The General Assembly will consider legislation on issues including reproductive healthcare, gun safety, minimum wage increases, environmental protection, school funding reform, clean energy, voting rights, and much more.
Several recent articles highlight bills being introduced this session. The Richmond Times-Dispatch wrote on several of the early filed pieces of legislation in this article and the Virginia Mercury wrote this broad primer just ahead of the Assembly first meeting.
Other articles touch base on the goings-on like “Lobby Day,” which sees hundreds of advocates using the state’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday to meet with legislations, read more here. Further reading, focusing on specific legislation, can be found in this article about the Potomac Yard Arena plan, this article about local control over school funding, and in this article that spotlights three more eclectic pieces of legislation. Finally, this article from The Richmond Times-Dispatch covers an important business ready site permitting bill Senator Mamie Locke and I are carrying.
Committee assignments have been finalized. In addition to sitting on the Appropriations, General Laws (of which I am vice-chair), Transportation, and Rules Committees, I also will chair three subcommittees; Appropriations-Higher Education; Transportation-Infrastructure and Funding subcommittee; General Laws-Procurement and Open Government.
During the past week of Session, my staff and I met various representative individuals and groups including:
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
National Federation for the Blind
Virginia Moms for Change
Electrification Coalition
Marijuana Justice
Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children
Virginia Healthy Youth Foundation
Young Democrats
Moms Demand Action
Virginia Citizens Defense League
911 Dispatchers
Medical Society of Virginia
VCU Physical Therapy students
Virginia Dental Association
Families of those Incarcerated at Keen Mountain Correctional Center
Monumental Sports
Reston Homeowners Association
National Guard Association
Virginia Commonwealth University Leadership
VCU Massey Cancer Center Leadership
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Sierra Club of Virginia
Old Dominion University Leadership
Virginia Fire Chiefs
Judicial Candidates
It is my goal to keep my constituents informed of the work happening at the General Assembly. There are several websites which provide troves of helpful information. Livestreams and past recordings of Session, as well as committee meetings can all be found at this link. Legislation, as well as meeting calendars and committee information can be found here. A searchable database of legislation can be found here.
If you have legislative priorities, questions or concerns to share with me, email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call my office at 804-698-1078.
Early Voting Opens for Virginia’s Presidential Primary
Virginia’s Presidential Primary Election Day will be March 5. Early voting is open until March 2. In addition to the ongoing Republican Primary, President Biden is facing competition. You can read more about the primaries here and access your voting information including registration status and polling location at this link.
Richmond Hires Joe Damico, Former DGS Director
At the end of 2023, it was announced that Joe Damico, a longtime and incredibly admired state procurement official would be retiring from his role as the Director of the Department of General Services (DGS), which is the business-arm and represents the infrastructure of Virginia’s State Government. In what is a tremendous windfall for the City, Joe has joined the City’s Administration as Deputy Director of Public Works. His experience and leadership is an invaluable asset for the City.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch has written this article on Joe Damico’s new role.
Thank You
It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or 804-698-1078 if I can be helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Betsy